Rugby: Highlanders fall to Lions

Malaki Fekitoa and the Highlanders couldn't hold on to a 20-3 halftime lead against the Lions at Ellis Park. Photo / Getty.

A thrilling second-half comeback gave the Lions a 28-23 triumph over the Highlanders in Johannesburg on Saturday and kept alive dreams of a maiden Super Rugby play-offs place.

Trailing 20-3 by half-time at Ellis Park, the South Africans ran in three tries after the break while restricting the New Zealanders to a drop goal.

Victory lifted the Johannesburg outfit three places in championship standings to seventh and the visitors remained fifth.

The top-six finishers after the 16-match season qualify for the knockout stages.

After being outscored two tries to nil during the opening half by the opportunist, clinical Highlanders, the Lions triumphed thanks to excellent ball retention, timely substitutions and tenacious defending.

It was the sixth victory in seven matches for the South Africans, who were written off as likely strugglers when the season began.

Defeat spoilt an impressive recent record by the Highlanders against South African opposition, having scored 87 points in home victories over the Western Stormers and Coastal Sharks.

Winger Courtnall Skosan, flanker Jaco Kriel and centre Harold Vorster scored a try each for the Lions on a cool, clear autumn evening in the South African economic capital.

Fly-half Elton Jantjies kicked two conversions and two penalties after replacing Marnitz Boshoff, who slotted a first-half penalty.

Flanker Gareth Evans and centre Malakai Fekitoa crossed for the Highlanders during an impressive first-half showing.

Fly-half Lima Sopoaga kicked two conversions, a penalty and a drop goal and fullback Ben Smith also slotted a drop goal.

-AAP